Field Bindweed

Common Name(s):

Scientific Name:

Scientific Name Synonyms:

Convolvulus ambigens House

Convolvulus incancus auct. non Vahl

Strophocaulos arvensis (L.) Small

Symbol:

COAR4

Description:

Life Span: Perennial

Origin: Introduced

Growth Characteristics: A perennial vine with glabrous herbage. It reproduces both sexually and vegetatively. Seed
germinate through the growing season when adequate moisture is available, with it
reaching its peach in late spring or early summer. Plants quickly develop a taproot
followed by lateral roots and numerous thin feeding roots. Rapid growth of rhizomes
and shoots begins when day temperatures are near 57 degrees F. and night temperatures
are at least 36 degrees F. Plants flower June through August. The prostrate plant
can twine and may form dense tangled mats.

Flowers: Peduncles arise from leaf axils, range from 0.2 to 2.4 inches long, and bear 1 to
several flowers. Five fused petals form a long funnel-like flower, 0.6 to 1.2 inches
long, and 0.9 to 1.4 inches broad. Five stamens of unequal length are attached to
the base of the corolla. The pistil is compound with two thread-like stigmas. Flowers
persist only one day and are insect pollinated.

Fruits/Seeds: Seed is a capsule, 5-10 mm long, bearing 1 to 4 seeds, each about 3-4 mm long. Seed
production is variable and dependent upon environmental conditions. Seeds can persist
in the soil for up to 50 years. The number of seed per plant varies between 25 and
300.

Roots: A 2 to 10 foot taproot with large numbers of annual lateral roots that develop adventitiously
throughout its length, and penetrate the soil in all directions. Shoot buds arise
on these horizontal laterals and develop into rhizomes which, reaching the surface,
establish new crowns. These extensive roots can measure 6.6 m long. Lateral roots
are found primarily in the top 12 inches.

Ecological Adaptions:

Field Bindweed is native to Europe and Asia. It is successful in many types of climates,
but is most troublesome for agriculture throughout the temperate zone. It is common
in cultivated field and gardens, along roadsides, railroads, disturbed sites, and
waste places. Outside of agricultural fields, it is most often found in moist locations
on tracts once used for agriculture. The competitive ability of field bindweed is
due largely to its extensive root system. One plant is able to reduce the available
soil moisture in the top 24 inches of soil below the “wilting point”.

Field bindweed has deep roots that store carbohydrates and proteins. They help field
bindweed spread vegetatively and allow it to resprout repeatedly following removal
of above-ground growth. Eexudates from field bindweed roots decrease germination of some crop seeds.

Soils: Adapted to many soil types

Associated Species: Widespread

Uses and Management:

Field Bindweed is declared a Noxious weed in Utah. It is best controlled by repeatedly
removing the stems, or by continued application of chemical herbicides.

Successful control is most likely if the above-ground biomass is removed (by tillage,
hand-pulling or herbicide application) followed by competition from other species
(e.g. from the surrounding vegetation or restoration efforts), and continuous monitoring
for resprouts. In agriculture, control has been most successful where tillage is combined
with herbicide application, although herbicide application alone can be effective.
2,4-D is the most widely used herbicide because it controls the weed effectively and
is relatively inexpensive. Herbicide application should be applied when the herbicide
will be translocated to the roots, but before seed set.